The ProLaunch Blue changed my life

[gvogel]

1 hour ago, Phebus said:

Curious to see how this goes for you. I’m planning on ordering a Prolaunch Blue, and wasn’t sure with the heavy head the 10k has whether to buy an A or R flex shaft. 

Got to think that there is going to be a mini run on Prolaunch Blue Shafts!

[tatertot]

1 hour ago, WasatchBogey said:

Even though I hit the Distanza in my Ping 10k really well, couldn’t resist picking up a ProLaunch Blue 45A to try out😆after reading this thread.

 

Gluing the adapter on today, will cut to length & grip tomorrow, play a round with it Tuesday!

 

Already changed the backweight from 28 to 22g, so should be plug & play👍

Buddy has the 10K ... he could make himself go 45A, but he went 65R.

[tatertot]

31 minutes ago, gvogel said:

Got to think that there is going to be a mini run on Prolaunch Blue Shafts!

No joke ... my current handicap has gone up a bit (5.0), but my best round at home course was 65 ... WAS ... Played 6 rounds this last week ... below are my rounds ...

 

70

64

66

64

65

71

 

Driving is a huge part of success. Poor drives are still playable, and long. Can't think of any equipment change that has had this kind of impact on my scores.

[rlee323]

Prolaunch Blue in R flex and G425 has been great for low 90s swingspeed and longer shaft build (45.5).  Think R flex is fine if building longer (didn't want to go S as 4 grams heavier and wanted to see difference in results by going lighter/softer).  Definitely worth a try if you're a smoother swinger.

[DaveGoodrich]

On 8/25/2024 at 1:42 PM, Cwebb said:

There's a lot of value for many players, in a shaft that demands a smooth tempo.....which then promotes good balance.....which leads to better consistency

 

Likely the entire reason for the success of the "Ottophlex." 

 

I love the PL Blue 45.  I may put the stiff I have now in a 3 wood, and pick up a regular for the driver. I played the R previously, and found it to be amazingly stable at that weight and flex. No problem flighting it down. 

[10undrbogey]

On 9/8/2024 at 12:37 PM, tatertot said:

Buddy has the 10K ... he could make himself go 45A, but he went 65R.

Shout out to Tatertot for the heads up on the ProLaunch Blue👍

 

I’d kinda seen the name mentioned before, but didn’t look at them much.

 

Just put a Ping Distanza soft R flex in my 430 10k to play around with the “light/soft” paradigm, found I hit it really well & gained a bit of distance.

 

After reading the OP & follow ups, grabbed  PLB (45g, A flex) at my local Golf Galaxy, built it up to play at 45” & as per my usual, took it straight to the course & played a round with it today, only a few swings into my net, no driving range or warm up.

 

I’ll have to say it’s the real deal, for me at least. Reached a par 5 in 2 that I’ve never reached before, had several of my longest drives of the year.

 

I’m a pretty short hitter, so picking up a club or two in driver distance is a big gain.

 

Have read the Accra threads with interest, but I don’t think I need to look any more. This one is the one for me, and a steal at $60👍

[Steve-Holloway]

I’ve experimented with the 45 l flex and light head weight on a Ping 425 to try the poor man auto flex. It wasn’t bad but I think you did have to time it a bit, and my inconsistent playing schedule doesn’t help develop a consistent tempo. I think I’m going and try a A flex or R flex with the standard head weight a D-1 to D-3 swing weight and a 45” length build. My swing speed is at best 95mph and more like 90mph (I know this total should get me kicked off this site). My miss is a push right. Anyone with more experience have a suggestions on which flex they would choose?

[onwrd2vctry]

11 hours ago, Steve-Holloway said:

I’ve experimented with the 45 l flex and light head weight on a Ping 425 to try the poor man auto flex. It wasn’t bad but I think you did have to time it a bit, and my inconsistent playing schedule doesn’t help develop a consistent tempo. I think I’m going and try a A flex or R flex with the standard head weight a D-1 to D-3 swing weight and a 45” length build. My swing speed is at best 95mph and more like 90mph (I know this total should get me kicked off this site). My miss is a push right. Anyone with more experience have a suggestions on which flex they would choose?

I spent quite a bit of time at the range yesterday with both A-Flex and R-Flex in the PLB.  My swing speed was consistently between 95 and 98 mph.  Trying to figure out which one I'm going to game.  I settled on A-Flex.  Distance was equal between the two shafts with my TSR2 10° head.  The R-flex does feel ever so slightly more stable...And I mean splitting hairs here.  But when I look at the dispersion circles the a flex appears to be more accurate for some reason.  Both feel great and I don't think you'll have difficulty loading either flex.  

 

So my advice to someone with a 90 mile an hour swing speed would be to go with A-flex but ymmv.

 

Both of my PLBs are 45 g by the way.

Edited September 12, 2024 by onwrd2vctry

[speedeuphoria]

1 hour ago, onwrd2vctry said:

I spent quite a bit of time at the range yesterday with both A-Flex and R-Flex in the PLB.  My swing speed was consistently between 95 and 98 mph.  Trying to figure out which one I'm going to game.  I settled on A-Flex.  Distance was equal between the two shafts with my TSR2 10° head.  The R-flex does feel ever so slightly more stable...And I mean splitting hairs here.  But when I look at the dispersion circles the a flex appears to be more accurate for some reason.  Both feel great and I don't think you'll have difficulty loading either flex.  

 

So my advice to someone with a 90 mile an hour swing speed would be to go with A-flex but ymmv.

This has been my thinking as I'm 105+. First test is 60g Accra iwood senior flex(thinking heavier and softer) compared to my next shaft will be PLB R flex 45g

[HOLN1UK]

On 8/30/2024 at 2:56 PM, vernon said:

I have a Ping G430 Max, a G430 10K and G430 5, 7 and 9 woods that all came with the Distanza (except for the 10K which came with a Hzrdus 50 Red 5.5).

 

I keep alternating back and forth between them all and the Pro Launch 45 (I have one in senior flex and two in ladies) is hard to beat especially in the driver.

 

I replaced the backweight in the Max with one that was five grams lighter and it worked much better than with the heavier stock weight.

 

I haven't tried going lighter with the 10K but intend to soon.

 

I really can't tell much difference between the senior and ladies flex and neither can three or four playing partners that have hit them as well.

 

Due to age I'm only a mid 90's clubhead speed guy these days but still have a pretty aggressive transition and the Pro Launch is not a soft or "whippy" shaft by any means even in the ladies flex.

 

One friend of mine is a plus 2 handicap and a 110+ mph driver swinger and he thinks it's the best feeling shaft he's ever hit and can't tell the difference between the ladies and senior flex either.  He's dying to buy one but is afraid he'll be made fun of.

 

The Distanza, while also a very good shaft, I find needs to be swung with a smoother tempo than the Pro Launch to get the best results.

 

To me, it just feels softer throughout the entire bend profile of the shaft than the PL Blue.

 

For the money I don't see how a guy could go wrong giving the Blue a try and don't be afraid to go super light and super soft as that's kind of the whole point.

 

I think you'll be shocked at how well this shaft holds up to whatever speed swing you can put on it.

 

Best of luck.

So you are using the PL45 in your G430 fw woods? What did you switch from, and did you notice a big difference? Thinking about trying the Alta Quick 45 in my G425 3-wood, or just ordering a G430 3-wood with the Alta Quick 45. I have the Alta Quick 45 in my G430 Max, and have had good results. Thanks!

[Steve-Holloway]

Thanks that was what i was looking for! i think on a bad day the A flex will probably be the choice. Being as i get out so few times, i was thinking it made the most sense! 

[tatertot]

Drove a 300-yard, uphill par 4. Dead center of the green. Nice 2 putt birdie. I'm just giddy over this thing.

 

And my handicap is lowest it's ever been, 1.2.

Edited September 13, 2024 by tatertot

[GolfTurkey]

Is this shaft super tip heavy?

 

I haven't cut it down to play at 45" yet, but it feels way heavier and harder to swing this 48g shaft than my 59g Ventus Blue 5X, even when I choke down.

[Ger21]

OK, I'm jumping on the bandwagon, and building a budget bomber.
Just ordered an 8.5° Srixon Z745 head from Japan, and an L flex PLB.

I've been getting really good results with an old RIP Phenom 50 in senior flex on and off all summer, but want to try something that's a little more flexible.

[Howard_Jones]

10 hours ago, GolfTurkey said:

Is this shaft super tip heavy?

 

I haven't cut it down to play at 45" yet, but it feels way heavier and harder to swing this 48g shaft than my 59g Ventus Blue 5X, even when I choke down.

NO, depending on flex, most PLB 45 has the BP slightly above the mid of the shaft (measurements are from the tip)

[vernon]

22 hours ago, HOLN1UK said:

So you are using the PL45 in your G430 fw woods? What did you switch from, and did you notice a big difference? Thinking about trying the Alta Quick 45 in my G425 3-wood, or just ordering a G430 3-wood with the Alta Quick 45. I have the Alta Quick 45 in my G430 Max, and have had good results. Thanks!

I have three PLB's - two Ladies flex and one Senior.  I cut down one of the Ladies flex to use in my G430 five wood but alternate it in and out of the seven wood as well.  All of the fairway woods came with Distanza shafts so there's not a significant change in shaft weight.  

 

I like the PLB in the fairway woods just fine but I don't think I notice the same distance gains that I do with the driver although I do prefer the feel of the PLB in the fairways.

 

I seem to be able to know where the head is better and I find impact to be more crisp.

 

Overall consistency is better with the PLB and I'll probably end up switching out the Distanza shaft for the PLB in all three fairway woods.

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

[Phebus]

To those that have switched to the lighter PLB 45 shaft, have you had to make any adjustments to head weight to get the feel you had back? 
I just ordered a PLB 45A to use in my TSr2. It currently has a Tensei Blue 55 shaft that weighs 58g and the PLB I purchased weighs 44g. I’ll take some lead tape with me to the range when I get it, but was just curious what others have experienced. 

[tatertot]

20 minutes ago, Phebus said:

To those that have switched to the lighter PLB 45 shaft, have you had to make any adjustments to head weight to get the feel you had back? 
I just ordered a PLB 45A to use in my TSr2. It currently has a Tensei Blue 55 shaft that weighs 58g and the PLB I purchased weighs 44g. I’ll take some lead tape with me to the range when I get it, but was just curious what others have experienced. 

I did not. Playing TS3 stock at 8.5.

[AdamMH]

Any really fast players using these? I'm talking 120MPH+.

I tried out an Evenflow Blue CB 4.0-45g and found that I could make a "gentle" swing with it and hit a nice baby draw, which is something I never do. A very, very stark contrast to the 3X House of forged shaft in my own driver... not that I should be playing that either 😅 I figure the PL 45 is cheap enough to experiment with early next season, but I'm really curious to know how they hold up to speed.

[Rbsiedsc]

3 minutes ago, AdamMH said:

Any really fast players using these? I'm talking 120MPH+.

I tried out an Evenflow Blue CB 4.0-45g and found that I could make a "gentle" swing with it and hit a nice baby draw, which is something I never do. A very, very stark contrast to the 3X House of forged shaft in my own driver... not that I should be playing that either 😅 I figure the PL 45 is cheap enough to experiment with early next season, but I'm really curious to know how they hold up to speed.

I know someone who cruises at 115 with the A flex tipped 1/2" and loves it. If you are worried, you could go up to R flex and it should hold up. With the PLB, what I hear is keeping the proper tempo and not being overly aggressive will see the benefits

 

[AdamMH]

7 minutes ago, Rbsiedsc said:

I know someone who cruises at 115 with the A flex tipped 1/2" and loves it. If you are worried, you could go up to R flex and it should hold up. With the PLB, what I hear is keeping the proper tempo and not being overly aggressive will see the benefits

 

Thanks for the comment! Tempo is something I'm working on as getting aggressive causes old swing faults to come back, so sounds like it might be a good option. Not sure about the tipping as the 45g PL Blue's are supposed to be butt-trim only.

[biglefthander]

8 hours ago, Phebus said:

To those that have switched to the lighter PLB 45 shaft, have you had to make any adjustments to head weight to get the feel you had back? 
I just ordered a PLB 45A to use in my TSr2. It currently has a Tensei Blue 55 shaft that weighs 58g and the PLB I purchased weighs 44g. I’ll take some lead tape with me to the range when I get it, but was just curious what others have experienced. 

Taking weight out of the head is essential to making it work

 

Went down 7g (swapped 12g for 5g in front, 2g in back) in a paradym triple diamond I'm playing at 46" with an ascent blue 45r (112 ss with a normal driver, 117 in this)

[tatertot]

39 minutes ago, biglefthander said:

Taking weight out of the head is essential to making it work

 

Went down 7g (swapped 12g for 5g in front, 2g in back) in a paradym triple diamond I'm playing at 46" with an ascent blue 45r (112 ss with a normal driver, 117 in this)

Mine works fine without touching the head.

[bcjim]

9 hours ago, Phebus said:

To those that have switched to the lighter PLB 45 shaft, have you had to make any adjustments to head weight to get the feel you had back? 
I just ordered a PLB 45A to use in my TSr2. It currently has a Tensei Blue 55 shaft that weighs 58g and the PLB I purchased weighs 44g. I’ll take some lead tape with me to the range when I get it, but was just curious what others have experienced. 

No change here. It is a great shaft and an amazing value. I have a 45A and SS of of 95ish.

[Phebus]

44 minutes ago, biglefthander said:

Taking weight out of the head is essential to making it work

 

Went down 7g (swapped 12g for 5g in front, 2g in back) in a paradym triple diamond I'm playing at 46" with an ascent blue 45r (112 ss with a normal driver, 117 in this)

Wow, opposite of what I’d expect. Lighter shaft should result in lighter swingweight. I was expecting to have to add some degree of weight to get the proper setup. 

[biglefthander]

Before giving the ultralight shaft thing a try I read the autoflex threads and the recommendations/success stories generally had a swingweight of D0 or lighter (I think this is what KHT recommends fwiw, may vary by the specific shaft)

 

My driver actually comes in between C6 and C7 but I'm using a 74g grip and have a half inch extension in the butt which both cheat the sw scale somewhat

 

Heavier may work for others but I saw immediate swing and ball speed jumps with the default setup so no need to further tinker here 😀

[southpaw72]

This thread just cost me $80 

[gvogel]

26 minutes ago, southpaw72 said:

This thread just cost me $80 

Me too.

[Phebus]

14 hours ago, biglefthander said:

Before giving the ultralight shaft thing a try I read the autoflex threads and the recommendations/success stories generally had a swingweight of D0 or lighter (I think this is what KHT recommends fwiw, may vary by the specific shaft)

 

My driver actually comes in between C6 and C7 but I'm using a 74g grip and have a half inch extension in the butt which both cheat the sw scale somewhat

 

Heavier may work for others but I saw immediate swing and ball speed jumps with the default setup so no need to further tinker here 😀

I’m going to play my TSr2 with the PLB 45A at 44 1/2”. That with the lighter shaft should have me way down on swingweight without any weight change. 

[gvogel]

29 minutes ago, Phebus said:

I’m going to play my TSr2 with the PLB 45A at 44 1/2”. That with the lighter shaft should have me way down on swingweight without any weight change. 

you might be over thinking this.  Before you cut 1" off the shaft, maybe play it at 45-1/2 for a few days?